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GOP Makes Nice With Harris in Florida
ap/yahoo ^ | Sep 21 06 | Brendan Farrington

Posted on 09/21/2006 1:27:19 PM PDT by churchillbuff

For months, Republican leaders tried pushing Katherine Harris out of the U.S. Senate race in hopes of finding a candidate that could win, and she responded by talking about "the party elite" with disdain at just about every campaign stop.

But now that the party is stuck with her as its candidate to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Republican leaders will welcome Harris as President Bush visits Tampa and Orlando Thursday to raise money to help the party maintain the governor's office, its hold on the Cabinet, and its dominance in the Legislature and U.S. House delegation.

The star of the evening will be Attorney General Charlie Crist, the Republican nominee to replace Gov. Jeb Bush, but Harris will join party leaders at the Orlando event expected to raise at least $2 million for the November election.

"The party invited her and we're glad she's able to attend," said state Republican Party spokesman Jeff Sadosky. "The governor and Chairman (Carole Jean) Jordan both immediately supported her when she won the primary."

But before she won the primary with less than half the vote in a four-way race, Jordan and the governor refused to back her. For months, Republican leaders in Tallahassee and Washington tried to find a candidate to defeat Harris. Gov. Bush openly said she couldn't win, and Jordan wrote to her saying the same.

Even after the primary, she was snubbed when Jordan, Gov. Bush, Crist and every statewide Republican candidate except Harris flew around Florida for unity rallies. The party said the events were to highlight state races, not federal campaigns.

Whether she continues to talk about the party elite, Harris welcomes the opportunity to finally join them.

"She looks forward to being with the president and Charlie Crist and Gov. Jeb Bush," said campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Marks. "We look forward to heading into November with unity."

Once the darling of Republicans when as Florida secretary of state she oversaw the 2000 recount that handed President Bush the White House, her popularity has been in a tailspin. She's been tied to a corrupt defense contractor, given embarrassing television interviews, endured former staffers detailing bizarre behavior and been caught at fibs that call her credibility into question.

But she is the nominee and the party plans to show support where it can even if she trails Nelson by more than 30 points in the polls and by millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

Jordan has offered to appear at events with Harris and the party plans to include her on get-out-the-vote mailings and fliers asking Republicans to vote for the entire ticket. She will also be among the candidates the party plans to showcase at events Friday and Saturday during its quarterly meetings.

Most of the money raised at the dinner Thursday, though, will go to state races, with the priority being to help Crist defeat Democrat Jim Davis as Bush leaves office due to term limits.

While President Bush's poll numbers have suffered, Crist said he will be proud to receive the president's support.

Congressman Davis' campaign, though, is using the visit to criticize Crist.

"Nobody more clearly illustrates the need for change in our state and our nation's leadership than George W. Bush," said Davis spokesman Josh Earnest. "He's going to need all the money that he can get to convince the people of Florida that the status quo is the best for Florida."


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: florida
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To: dawn53

Nelson is 95% "mouth"; i.e., a blowhard who likes to hear himself talk. He doesn't represent Florida - he represents the ultra-liberals in places like Boston, NYC, and San Francisco. When the Clintonistas, Hanoi Kerry, Chappaquiddick Kennedy, Schmuck Schumer, Boxer, Reid, Leahy, Pelosi, Boxer, Levin, Dean, et cetera tell Nelson to jump, he asks, "how high?". If he wants to remain in public office, he should move to a state that loves welfare, abortion on demand, gay marriage, high taxes, class action trial lawyers, left-lunatic judges, and anti-business legislation. Nelson is so liberal, he's endorsed by MoveOn.org, the anti-American, socialist abomination.


41 posted on 09/21/2006 3:08:58 PM PDT by pleikumud
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To: TChris
Ditto that! Give us some true conservatives with a SPINE, please!

But since we're fresh out of true conservatives I'd just as soon Harris won anyway. Doesn't look like she will though.

42 posted on 09/21/2006 3:10:14 PM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: churchillbuff



43 posted on 09/21/2006 3:15:08 PM PDT by NautiNurse (Katherine Harris for U.S. Senate)
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To: JulieRNR21

I'm miffed. I emailed her site right after she won and offered to volunteer in a variety of ways. No one has contacted me. I really want to help out but don't know where else to turn. Any ideas?


44 posted on 09/21/2006 3:15:41 PM PDT by debg
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To: kylaka

I tried. Even Merle Haggard admitted that his mama tried.


45 posted on 09/21/2006 3:18:01 PM PDT by billhilly (DU Funnies pingee # 911)
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To: debg

I just went you Freepmail.....


46 posted on 09/21/2006 3:21:05 PM PDT by JulieRNR21 (Go Katherine "ALL your base are belong to us." Go here: http://www.ElectHarris.org)
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To: churchillbuff

I am a media consultant with some extra time on my hands. Does Bill Nelson have any glaring weaknesses to exploit? Anything?


47 posted on 09/21/2006 3:25:09 PM PDT by montag813
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To: churchillbuff

She should tell Jeb Bush to kiss her @$$. He's a phoney and more qualified to be mayor of Mexico City than the governor of Florida.


48 posted on 09/21/2006 3:26:59 PM PDT by Godebert
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To: Godebert
He's a phoney"""

No, I think he's a genuine conservative. Arguably the most conservative (and effective) governor in the country over the past 8 years. All those people who've been moving to Florida (to enjoy low taxes and a great business climate) back up my case.

49 posted on 09/21/2006 3:49:52 PM PDT by churchillbuff
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To: jla

Who knows how much of what the media have reported about Harris' candidacy is accurate? The media were her first detractors, even before the dems.

Today's events should eliminate discussion about intra-party disagreement, but it is guaranteed the media will continue rumor mongering. Even this positive news article has venom dripping from the report.

I just look forward to Katherine Harris winning in spite of the uphill battle.



50 posted on 09/21/2006 3:49:53 PM PDT by windchime (One war~many fronts.)
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To: churchillbuff

Didn't Jeb Bush endorse a bill that would allow ILLEGAL immigrants to get Florida drivers licenses? He's as pro-ILLEGAL immigrant as his big brother. So sorry Jeb.....if you think my "tone" is "hurtful". Go cry to La Raza.


51 posted on 09/21/2006 4:04:33 PM PDT by Godebert
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To: paulcissa

I live in Florida, and I am going to vote for Kathryn, and so are my FRiends!

It is time to forcibly retire our do-nothing Senator who?


52 posted on 09/21/2006 4:21:12 PM PDT by Taxman (So that the beautiful pressure does not diminish!)
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To: rippingmyhairout

ROFOL!

Senator Howdy Doody!

ROFOL!

Senator Howdy Doody!

Snicker, snicker.

Somehow, the Harris campaign has GOT to pick that up!

Snicker, snicker.


53 posted on 09/21/2006 4:23:55 PM PDT by Taxman (So that the beautiful pressure does not diminish!)
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To: JulieRNR21

So happy these days that the road is finally rising to meet Katherine...

...and hoping that the wind will always be at her back.

She's worked so hard for it to happen.

Just looking at her schedule this week, she has a full plate, and it goes on and on until 11/7. Health and rest is important too.

There I go speaking like a Mother!


54 posted on 09/21/2006 6:49:34 PM PDT by Phyllis
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To: churchillbuff

KATHERINE HARRIS SENATOR 2006!


55 posted on 09/21/2006 6:52:05 PM PDT by OPS4 (Ops4 God Bless America!)
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To: Phyllis

She's worked so hard for it to happen.

Just looking at her schedule this week, she has a full plate, and it goes on and on until 11/7. Health and rest is important too.

There I go speaking like a Mother!




You are right.....it is a heavy schedule.

Fortunately, Katherine's got a lot of energy. She's very disciplined. She does martial arts & runs to relieve stress.

She's a great campaigner!


56 posted on 09/21/2006 7:28:28 PM PDT by JulieRNR21 (Go Katherine "ALL your base are belong to us." Go here: http://www.ElectHarris.org)
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To: USS Alaska

Well I am in Florida. And I will vote for her, but I had to come all the way down to this post to make my day. And no i am not voting because she's a great horsewoman. I think she will make a dandy Senator, because she has got "spunk"


57 posted on 09/21/2006 7:31:16 PM PDT by lexington minuteman 1775
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To: churchillbuff

Naked, rank desperation from the AP.


58 posted on 09/21/2006 7:31:18 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Common Tator
The problem with Kathleen Harris is she won't do as she is told

Here we go again.

You want Republican candidates to subscribe to some phony-baloney script that'll only worsen their chances.

If you think Harris should pander to people who aren't going to vote for her anyway (and thereby alienate her core supporters), you're wrong.

59 posted on 09/21/2006 7:35:56 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Common Tator
I re-read your post and I'm in the wrong.

My bad.

60 posted on 09/21/2006 7:37:24 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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